The case study of Shanghai PhiChem examines a returnee entrepreneur from the United States to China who started a high-technology chemical material firm. It shows how the entrepreneur started the business with limited resources but later successfully grew the business to an initial public offering. Its success factors and innovative strategies have been identified and analyzed in detail. Specifically, Shanghai PhiChem has focused more on the high value-added components of the smiling curve and has excelled as a hidden champion in China. Implications are given to entrepreneurs and managers in the emerging market from the perspectives of market entry, operations, and customer management.